Mrs. Eulalee Maion Cordice Parham – 2017

Mrs. Eulalee Marion Cordice Parham, the wife of the late Thomas David Parham Jr, – the Navy’s first African American Captain – passed away, July 24, 2017.

Called “a woman of faith, devoted wife and mother, and career art educator” in her obituary, Mrs. Parham was born Sept. 30, 1920 in Aurora, North Carolina. She and Capt. Parham were married for 55 years before he passed away in 2007. Here she is pictured with then Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Vice Adm. Melvin G. Williams as he hands her the national ensign during a memorial service in honor of Capt. Parham. Parham was the first black man to achieve the rank of captain in the United States Navy.

During Capt. Parham’s distinguished years of service, he received 14 personal decorations including the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cory Rose/RELEASED)